Two insulator high tension switch



Jan. 16, 1934. E. E'. ANDERSON TWO INSULATORK HIGH TENSION SWITCH 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 17. 1929 il il. a. 23| D. f

N 5| u W N 7m Jain. 163 1934. E E, ANDERSON 1,943,576

TWO INSULATOR HIGH TENSION SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 17, 1929Jan. 16, 1934. E. E. ANDERSON 1,943,576

' TWOHINSULATOR HIGH TENSION SWITCH Filed July 17. 1929 4 sheets-sheets.

Jan. 16, 19341 E. E. ANDERSON TWO INSULATOR HIGH TENSIO SWITCH FiledJuly 17. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lzVEr'z/Er" frnesl dnclesom Patented Jan.16, 1934 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE 28 Claims.

This invention relates in general to aswitch for opening and closing anelectrical circuit, and more particularly to a vertical break, twoinsulator, high tension, disconnecting switch.

In the past, disconnecting switches for use in high tension switchinghave been supplied by manufacturers, for mounting with their basesvertical, or horizontal in which case the'insulators are either abovethe base or underslung below the base. With switches of this type themaintenance is very high as each type of mounting constitutes adifferent switch, which could not be adapted for a different mountingwithout the use of additional parts. In cases of emergency, this is avery undesirable condition as it is common practice to move electricalequipment from one locatio'n to another. For example, if a'switch weremounted in one position at a given location and it was desired to moveit to another location where it would have to be mounted in a dierentposition; it could not be mounted in the new location without theaddition of new parts.

Another objection to disconnecting switches,

` as they are presently made, is to the construction of the contacts. Inthe usual form, the contact is made between ground surfaces which soonget out of alignment, with the result that the original surface contactbecomes a line or point contact and the ampere carrying capacity isVgreatly decreased. In order to adapt the usual contact for outdoorservice, where extreme weather conditions are met with, it becomesnecessary to provide sleet hoods or other means for protecting thecontacts to assure the operation of the switch.

In the operation of high potential disconnecting switches, it oftenbecomes necessary to open them under load. Due to the relatively smallinterrupting capacity of such switches and their slow speed of opening,the contacts become damaged from the arc which is established when thecontacts begin to open.

Where the arc is broken between contacts in a hermetically sealed tubecontaining an arc extinguishing fluid, it has been a difcult problem toiind a satisfactory way of sealing the tube into the end ferrules andmaking a nal seal after the fluid is put into the tube. A tube of thistype is subjected to extreme temperatures and pressure with the resultthat the glass either breaks where it is sealed into the ferrules or thetube leaks around the naLsealing plug.

It is an object of this invention to provide a disconnecting switchwhich is adapted for mounting in any position simply by a reassembly ofthe switch parts without the necessity of adding new parts.

It is. another object of this invention to provide a full iloatingcontact, which will be self aligning, have a multiplicity of positivecontact points and maintain its ampere carrying capacity over a longperiod of time, and adapted for outdoor or indoor use.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a disconnecting switchwhich will open the 55 electrical circuit in a very short period oftime; the circuit being initially opened by a switch blade which carriesthe main current, and finally by a fluid switching unit which carriesthe secondary current and is in parallel with the switch blade. A'

It is a further object of this invention to improve the method forsealing the container which encloses the contact mechanism and which isfilled with an arc extinguishing fluid.

Other and important objects of this invention will be apparent from thedisclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

This invention in a preferred form is illustrated in the drawings andhereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view including partial sections through theduid break switch.

Figure 2 is an elevational view showing the 85 switch mounted in ahorizontal and vertical plane.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the switch.

Figure 4 is an elevational view showing the switch mounted in ahorizontal plane with the insulators beneath the base.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the locking means andcontact in section.

Figure 6 is an elevational view of the fluid break switch having brokenaway sections showing the position of the contact elements when theswitch is mounted in an underslung position.

Figure 'I is an elevational view of the fluid break switch having brokenaway sections showing the position of the contact elements when theswitch is mounted in a vertical position.

Figure 8 is an enlarged transverse section through the fluid breakswitch, line VIII- VIII in Figure 6.

Figure 9 is an enlarged transverse section 105 through the contact ofthe air break Switch taken on line IX-D in Figure 4.

Figure 10 is a view showing the concentric lgrooves around the sealinghole and on the sealing screw.

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary section through the final sealingmeans.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the Adetails of theiloating mounting of the switch blade contact support casting, takensubstantially on line XII-XII of Figure 5.

As shown on the drawings:

The disconnecting switch, as a whole, is shown in Figure 1 mounted in ahorizontal position with the insulators above a mounting base 1.Insulator pins 2, which support the-conventional type of high tensioninsulator 3, are secured to the top of the mounting base near its ends,by means of bolts 4 which extend through the base of the insulator pin,the mounting base, and a plate 5. This plate makes it possible to securethe cap end of the insulator to the mounting base,- by means of the capbolts 6, when the disconnecting switch is mounted in the underslungposition as shown in Figure 4. In the mounting shown in Figure 1, ahinge terminal casting 7 is secured to the insulator cap by the capbolts 6, and includes a lug 8, which is drilled for terminal conectionto the power line, and the stationary member 9 of the switch bladehinge. The movable member of the hinge comprises a casting 10, which ispivotally secured, by means of the pivot pin 11, to the stationary hingemember 9, and is bored and threaded to receive a blade bar, or tube 12,which is clamped therein, by means of a clamping bolt 13. 'I'heelectrical circuit is completed around the hinge by the ilexibleconductor 14 which is secured by the bolt 15 to the stationary member ofthe hinge and by the bolt 16 to the lug 17 forming an integral part ofthe casting 10. It is therefore apparent that by using thisconstruction, blade bars of varying length may be used; the hingeterminal casting and the blade hinge casting with its fiexible connectorbeing common to voltages from 7500 to 73000 volts. For higher voltagescastings of heavier construction would be used. The blade bar 12 isshown as being circular in design, but may be of any shape or formdepending upon the amount of current it must carry and the mechanicalstrength required.

The contact end of the blade bar 12 is threadedly secured to a forkedcasting 18 and securely clamped by means of a clamping bolt 19. Thiscasting 18 carries a full oating contact support casting 20, Figure 5,and a switch lock 21 having a pull ring 22 on its upper endand a latchdog 23 on its lower end, which engages with a contact casting 24. 'Iheswitch lock 21 is pivotally secured to depending lugs 25 of the forkedcasting 18, by means of a pin 26. The switch blade end of the casting 18is drilled to receive a cylindrical member 27 having inserted thereinfor longitudinal movement a plunger 28, which is forced outwardly by aspring 29, against the switch lock 21, which will be rotated in aclockwise direction until the stop pin 30 strikes against the lower edgeof said casting 18. This switch lock will therefore lock the switchblade in a closed position and prevent the switch from being forced openby a short circuit.

The full floating contact support casting 20 is fioatingly supported inthe forked casting 18, as shown in Figure 12, by means of pin 31 and thepin 32a, the ends of which extend into oversize holes in the prongs ofthe fork casting. The longitudinal movement of the pin 32a is limited byshort bolts 32 which are threaded into the oversize holes and abutagainst the ends of said pin. The electrical circuit is completed fromthe contact support casting to the forked casting by means of a flexibleconductor 33, which is solidly bolted to the respective castings bybolts 34, 32 and 35. Integral with the contact support casting 20 is aprojection 36 which is drilled and tapped to receive either the contactsheath 37 or the contact plunger 38. This interchangeability gives acontact, thoroughly housed against weather in all positions in which aswitch is usually mounted. l 'Ihe contact casting 24 is secured to theinsulator by the cap bolts 6 and is drilled and tapped to receive eitherthe contact plunger 38 as shown in Figure 5 or the contact sheath 37. Anintegral lug 39, which is similar to the lug 8, is drilled for terminalconnection to the power line.

The female member of the contact comprises a sheath 37 having aplurality of sockets 40 for receiving conducting spheres 4l, which arebacked up by connector straps 42 solidly fastened to one end of thesheath by screws 43. These conductor straps are enclosed by acylindrical close wound coil spring 44, which exerts spring pressure onthe spheres, forcing them to the bot- .tom of their respective socketswhere their further movement is arrested by an inturned edge of thesocket. It will be noted that in this position the spheres projectslightly past the inner wall of the sheath and make contact with thecontact plunger 38. The entrance end of the contact sheath engages withan end member 37a containing a tapered orifice, which forms a guide forthe contact plunger as it enters the female member of the contact. Thecontact sheath is enclosed by a cylindrical tube 45 which is securelyfastened by means of the screws 46; at one end to the sheath and at theother to the end member 37a, thereby holding said end member inengagement with said sheath. This cylindrical tube therefore protectsthe contact mechanism from the weather elements. It is to be observedthat when the contact plunger enters the contact sheath, it forces theconducting spheres outwardly against the connector straps, which in turnare forced firmly against the enclosing spring; this spring being freeto weave or iioat together with the connector straps and spheres. Theresult is that each sphere is under spring pressure and forms a pressurecontact between each sphere and the contact plunger as well as betweeneach sphere and its connector strap. The spheres being free to roll orfloat in their respective sockets, a wiping contact is secured, thusinsuring a multiplicity of clean contact points each of which has adeflnite current carrying capacity. The capacity of the contact istherefore proportional to the number of points of contact, and permits adefinite current rating to be given the contact.

By the use of the full oating contact support, the plunger isreciprocally or laterally withdrawn from the contact sheath by therotary motion of the switch blade about its hinge pivot. The fullfloating contact support permits the plunger to freely assume itsposition with reference to the full floating contact spheres, connectorstraps and the cylindrical close wound coil spring in the contactsheath. 'I'his feature compensates for any misalignment of the switchparts and the point of contact of each sphere is assured.

A iiuid switching unit is supported on one end by a projecting arm 46which is integral with the hinge casting 10, and on the other by arotatable link 47 pivotally secured by -a pin 47a to the contact casting24. The respective ends of the Iiuid switching unit are designated by Aand B. A supporting and terminal casting is provided at the A end of thefluid switching unit comprising an annular ring 48 and depending arm 49pivotally secured to the arm 46 by means of a bolt 50. The B end of thefluid switching unit has a similar supporting and terminal castingconsisting of an annular ring 51 with a similar depending arm 52pivotally secured to the link47 by means of a bolt 53. Solidly boltedconnections are provided at each end respectively by a flexibleconductor 54 having one end secured to the arm 49 and the other to thearm 46 by the screw 55; and a flexible conductor 56 having one endsecured to the arm 52 and'the other to the contact casting 24 by one ofthe cap bolts 6. The contact mechanism is hermetically sealed within atube 57, preferably of a vitreous material but not necessarily, which islled with an arc extinguishing fluid (not shown on the drawings). Eachend of the tube is sealed into a ferrule 58, the outer end of which isclosed, having an outwardly extending flange.

which engages the annular ring of its,a.ssociated supportingandlterminal casting and is secured thereto by means of screws 59. Theferrule on the end B is drilled and tapped to receive the hermeticsealing screw 60, Figure 11. The base and seat of this screw areprovided with concentric grooves (Figure 10) so that when the screw istightened against a soft metal washer 61 the grooves will cut into thewasher and form a hermetic seal. A bracket 62 is secured by a screw 63to the closed end of the ferrule 58 on the A end of the tube and by ascrew 64 to an insulating bar 65 which supports a series of gaps in thearc extinguishing fluid; the bracket making electrical contact with theterminal side of the last gap. The other end of the insulating bar isfree to move longitudinally on a guide pin 66 when expanded orcontracted by a change in temperature. The guide pin is secured to theclosed end of the ferrule 58 of the B end of the tube and slidablyengages the end of the bar 65. A flexible connector 65a completes theelectrical circuit from the terminal side of the last gap to the-closedend of the ferrule 58. A plurality of castings 67 made of a conductingmaterial are secured to the insulating bar by the screws 68, Figure 8,and spaced so as to form a series of gaps. Conducting spheres 69 of anon-magnetic material are disposed for closing the gaps and are free to-move into sockets 70 parallel to the fix longitudinal axis of the tubeor sockets 71 at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the tube; suchmovement opening the gaps and consequently breaking the electricalcircuit through the tube. DueA to the arc extinguishing uid in the tube,the spheres will move into and out of the sockets with plunger likeaction The spheres make a point contact with the contact surface of the,gaps. In the closed position of the gaps the arc extinguishing uidclosely surrounds the point contact and since a sphere may be moved thrua uid with the least amount of disturbance of the duid, it is evidentthat as the spheres begin to move away from the contact surfaces the`arc extinguishing fluid instantly lls the gaps and prevents any arcfrom forming.

While the drawings show only one hermetically sealed tube mounted uponthe disconnect- ,ing switch, it is not proposed to limit this inventionto the use of one tube as it is contemplated that a number of tubeshaving their contact points in series might be mounted in parallel orthe tube might be constructed with several rows of contacts within vonetube, the contacts being arranged electrically, either in series ormultiple depending upon the amount of current which it is desired tocarry.

Figures 2 and 4 show the switch of my invention mounted in variouspositions upon a sus taining structure.` The various parts of theswitch, which it would be necessary to reassemble in order to adapt theswitch for operation in the respective positions, are clearly shown inthese figures. For example, assuming the switch to be originally mountedin the horizontal position as shown in Figure 2, the switch parts areassembled as shown more clearly in Figure l. In this position, the tube57 is mounted with its B end adjacent the blade contact and its A endadjacent the pivoted end of the blade. The iemale contact member iscarried by the blade, and the male contact member mounted on insulator3.

If it is now desired to transfer the horizontally mounted switch to alocation wherein it will be in a vertical position as shown in Figure 2,

the only changes necessary to adapt the switch to the vertical mountingare to turn the tube 57 end for end so that the A end is adjacent theblade contact rather than the B end, and interchange the male and femalecontact members.

In changing from the vertical mounting shown in Figure 2 to theunderslung mounting as shown in Figure 4, the insulators 3 3 are turnedend for end and the tube 57 is rotated 180 degrees about itslongitudinal axis. It is thus evident that the switch may be readilyadapted for any mounting by simply reassembling a few parts. Enlargedviews of the tube 57 are shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7 with cut-outportions, the tubes being disposed in their relative positions tocorrespond to the switch mountings as shown in Figures 2 and 4.

The operation of the switch, when mounted in the horizontal positionwith the insulators above the base, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. fromcompletely closed position to completely open, land from completely opento completely closed is as follows: The switch is opened by mserting aswitch hook into the ring 22 of the switch lock. A rm'pull upwardly andtoward the hinge end of the switch, will uniatch the switch lock andpull the switch blade out of contact, swinging the switch blade aboutthe pivot pin 11 to the 90 degrees open position. To describe themovement of the luid switching unit, A

while the switch blade is being opened, it is best to divide themovement of the switch blade into two parts, that is, from the closedposition tosubstantially 45 degrees open position, and from thisposition to fully open.

It will be observed that, when the switch blade is in circuit closedposition, the tube 57 is downwardly inclined towards its B end and thespheres 69 occupy gap-closing positions, each sphere being in engagementwith an upper con tact surface formed by the wall of a socket 71 and alower contact surface formed by the wall of a socket 70. Since thesockets 70 are at this time inclined downwardly towards the gaps thespheres are held in gap-closing position by the action of gravity. Now,as-*the switch blade is swung to the 45 position, as shown in dottedlines in Figure 1, the lever arm 46 is moved anticlockwise to ahorizontal or dead center position, this movement causing the A end ofthe 4 K tube 57 to travel downwardly and to the left. Simultaneouslywith this movement of the A end of the tube, the B end is guided by theanticlockwise movement of link 47 so that this end moves 5 downwardlyand to the left. It will be observed,

however, that at the 45 position the downward movement of the A end ofthe tube has been relatively greater than the downward movement of the Bend of the tube; that the tube is still slightly downwardly inclinedtoward its B end; and that during the above described movement of thetube the spheres 69 have remained in gapclosing position, since noforces have acted to change their position. The circuit at this time isthrough the fluid switching unit, since the circuit through the switchblade has already been opened;

Immediately upon the passage of the switch blade through its 45position, the arm 46 is moved below its horizontal or dead centerposition and continues to carry the A end of the tube still further in adownward direction and at the same time causes this end to move to theright instead of to the left as when the arm 46 was approaching its deadcenter position. Moreover, the link 47 is now moving ina clockwisevdirection which causes the B end of the tube to move upwardly and to theright. As before, it will be observed that the downward movement of theA end of the tube is relatively greater than the upward movement of theB end of the tube.

As a result of this change in the direction of movement of the tube 57from left to right as the lever arm 46 passes through its horizontal ordead center position, the upper contact surfaces formed by the walls ofthe sockets 71 are moved away from the spheres 69 with a snap action. Atthe same instant, the supports for the spheres have changed. Insteadofbeing supported on both the upper and lower contact surfaces aspreviously, the spheres are now supported only upon the lower contact'surfaces. The motion of the tube is now such, by virtue of moving the Aend downwardly and to the right and the B end upwardly and to the right,that the lower contact surfaces cause the spheres to move into thesockets 70 leaving the` gapsl fully open. Moreover, during the movementof the switch blade from the 45 position to the fully open or 90position, the sockets 70 are rapidly and increasingly downwardlyinclined from the gaps, so that the speed of movementN of the spheresinto the sockets 70 is augmented by the actionof gravity.

The switch is closed by inserting the switch hook into the ring 22,whereupon a firm quick thrust will swing the blade into closed positionwhere it is automatically locked by the engagement of the latch dog withthe contact casting 24. Since the movement of the fluid switching unit,whenclosing the switch blade, is just the reverse of its movement duringthe opening of the switch blade, a detailed description of the movementsof the arm 46, the link 47 and the tube 57 is not deemed necessary.

When the switch blade is in the fully open or position, the spheres 69are retained at the closed ends of the sockets 70 by the action ofgravity, these sockets at this time being downwardly inclined away fromthe gaps. This condition prevails until the switch blade has passedthrough the 45 position, at which time the arm 46 has also passedthrough its horizontal or dead center position and reversed the movementof the tube 57 from left to right, the link 47 reversing its movementfrom left to right simultaneously therewith. This movement of the tubegives a snap action to the right which forces the closed ends of thesockets 70 against the spheres 69 and drives them into the gaps toinitially close the electrical circuit through the liquid switchingunit. As the switch blade continues to move from the 45 position, thesockets are rapidly and increasingly inclined downwardly towards thegaps, thereby enabling the force of gravity to augment the speed ofmovement of the spheres into the gaps. In the fully closed position ofthe switch blade, the spheres are again held in gap closing position bythe action of gravity, and the switch blade now carries the main portionof the current.

Switches embodying the features of this invention have been found to beparticularly desirable for interrupting circuits which carry arelatively high order of current. This will be more fully appreciatedwhen the action of the spheres and contacts are considered during theinterruption of the circuit. The fact that spheres have been usedenables the contacts and spheres to be separated in the arcextinguishing liquid in which they are submerged with a minimum amountof resistance, thereby enabling the gap to be opened at a relativelyhigh speed. The resulting high speed in opening the gap enables a highinterrupting capacity to be obtained, as is well known in the art.

As soon as the sphere begins to open the gap a thin fllm of the arcextinguishing liquid is formed. This film at rst is of low resistanceand gradually increases as the gap increases and the llm of fluidbecomes thicker, the result being that when the gaps are fully openedthe arc extinguishing fluid in the series of gaps forms a totalresistance across which is a potential drop equal to the potential ofthe total circuit which is being interrupted. It is therefore apparentthat by introducing a suilicient number of gaps the voltage to behandled can be divided so that the potential handled by each gap fallswell within the physical, chemical and thermal capacity of theelectrolytic iluid. Further, the use of spherical members isadvantageous in that the members are not subject to electrical magneticstress which would be present during the rupture of heavy current.Rebounding of the spheres either in opening or closing of the switch isprevented by the plunger action of the spheres in the sockets due to thedisplacement of the arc extinguishing fluid. Also the action of all thespheres will be simultaneous because of the parallel relationship of thesockets.

The operation of the switch, when mounted in a vertical position asshown in Figure 2, from completely closed to completely open positionand from completely open to completely closed again is as follows: Theswitch is opened by inserting a switch hook into the ring 22 of theswitch blade. A drm quick pull on the switch hook unlatches the switchlock and pulls the switch blade out of contact, the blade swinging'about the pivot pin 11 to 90 open position. In

order, however, that the operation of the fluid switching unit may bemore readily understood, the movement of the switch blade will beconsidered in two parts, that is, from closed position to 45 openposition and from this position to fully open position.

` Referring to Figures 2 and 7, it will be observed that, whenthe switchblade is in cir- 15C cuit closed position, the tube 57 is downwardlyinclined toward its B end and the spheres 69 occupy gap closingpositions, each sphere being in engagement with an upper contact surfaceformed by the wall of a socket 70, and a lower` contact surface formedby the wall of a socket 7l. Since the sockets 7l are at this timeinclined downwardly toward the gaps, the spheres are held in gap closingposition by the action of gravity. Now, as the switch blade is swung tothe 45 position, thelever arm 46 is moved clockwise to a vertical or.dead center position, this movement causing the B end of the tube 57 totravel downwardly and to the left. Simultaneously with this movement ofthe B end of the tube, the A end is guided by the clockwise movement voflink 47 so that this end moves downwardly and to the left. It will beobserved, however, that at the 45 position, the movement to the left ofthe B end of the tube has been relatively greater than the movement tothe left of the A end of the tube; that the tube is still slightlyinclined, having almost reached a vertical position; and that during theabove described movement of the tube the' spheres 69 have remained ingap closing position, since no forces have acted to change theirposition. The circuit at this time is through the fluid switching unit,since the circuit through the switch blade has already been opened.

Immediately upon the passage oi the switch blade through its 45position, the arm 46 is moved to the left of its vertical or dead centerposition and continues to carry the B end of the tube still further in adirection to the left,

and at the same time causes this end to move upwardly instead ofdownwardly as when the arm 46 was approaching its dead center posiytion.lMoreover, the link 47 is now moving in an anti-clockwise directionwhich causes the A end of the tube to move upwardly and to the right. Asbefore, it will be observed that the movement of the B end of the tubeto the left is relatively greater than the corresponding movement of theA end of the tube'.

As a result of this change in the direction of movement of the tube 57from `a downward to an upward direction as the lever arm 46 passesthrough its vertical or dead center position, theupper contact surfacesformed by the walls of the sockets 70 are moved away from the spheres 69with a snap action. At the same instant lthe supports for the sphereshave changed. Instead of being supported on both the upper and lowercontact surfaces as previously, the spheres are now supported only uponthe lower contact sur--v faces. The motion of the tube is now such, byvirtue of moving the B end upwardly and to the left and the A endupwardly and to the right, that the lower contact surfaces will causethe spheres to move into the sockets 7l, leaving the gaps fully open.Moreover, during the movement of the switch blade from the 45 positionto the fully open or position the sockets 71 are rapidly andincreasingly downwardly inclined away from the gaps, so that the speedof movement of the spheres into the sockets 71 is augmented by theaction of gravity.

The switch is closed by inserting the switch hook into the ring 22,whereupon a rm quick thrust will swing the blade into closed position,where it is automatically locked by the engagement of the latch dog withthe contact casting 24. Since the movement of the fluid switching unit,when closing the switch blade, is just the reverse of its 4movementduring the opening of the switch blade, a detailed description of themovement of arm 46, link 47 and tube 57, is not deemed necessary.

When the switch blade is in the fully or 90 opened position, the spheres69 are retained at the closed ends of the sockets 7l by the action ofgravity, these sockets at this time being downwardly inclined away fromthe gaps. This condition prevails until the switch blade has passedthrough the 45 position, at which time the arm 46 has also passedthrough its vertical or dead center position and reversed the movementof the tube 57 from a downward direction to an upward direction, thelink 47 reversing its movement from a downward to upward directionsimultaneously therewith. This movement gives a snap action of the tubeto the right which moves the sockets 71 away from the spheres and theupper. contact surfaces of the sockets 70 into engagement with thespheres. As the switch blade continues to-move from the 45 positionth'sockets 71 are rapidly and increasingly inclined downwardly towardthe gaps, thereby enabling the force of gravity to augment the speed ofmovement of the spheres into the gaps.` In the fully closed position ofthe switch blade, the spheres are again held in gap closing position bythe action of gravity and the switch blade carries the main portion ofthe current.

The operation of the switch, when mounted in the underslung position, asshown in Figure 4, from completely closed positionto completely open,and from completely open to completely closed position is as follows:rlhe switch is opened by means of a switch hook in the same manner lasthe other mountings of the switch, and for purposes of description theswitch blade is likewise considered as having its movement divided intotwo parts; that is, from fully closed position to the 45 position, andfrom the 45 position to the 90 or fully open position.

It will be observed, that when the switch bladev is in circuit closedposition, the tube 57 is downwardly inclined towards lits B end and thespheres 69 occupy gap closing positions as shown in Figure 6, eachsphere being in engagement with an upper contact surface formed by thewall of a socket 71 and a lower contact surface formed by the wall of asocket 70. Since the sockets 70 are at this time inclined downwardlytowards the gaps, the spheres are held in gap closing position by theaction of gravity. Now, as the switch blade is swung to the 45 position,the lever arm 46 is moved clockwise to a horizontal or dead centerposition, this movement causing the B end of the tube 57 to travelupwardly and to the left. Simultaneously, with this movement of the Bend of the tube, the A end is guided by the clockwise movement of link47 so that this end moves upwardly and to the left. It will be observed,however, that at the 45 position the upward movement of the B end of thetube has been relatively greater than the upward movement of the A endof the tube; that the tube is still slightly downwardly inclined towardits B end; and that during the above described movement of the tube thespheres 69 have remained in gap closing position since no forces haveacted to change their position. The circuit at this time is through thefluid switching unit since the circuit through the switch blade hasalready been opened. i Immediately upon the passage of the switch bladethrough its position, the arm 46 is moved above its horizontal or deadcenter position and continues to carry the B end of the tube stillfurther in an upwardly direction and at the same time causes this end tomove to the right instead of to the left as when the arm 46 wasapproaching its dead center position. Moreover, the link ..47 is nowmoved in an anticlockwise direction which causes the A end of the tubeto move downwardly and to the right. As before, it will be observed,`movement'of the B end of the tube is relatively greater than thedownward movement of the A end of the tube.

As a result of this change of the direction of movement of the tube57from left to right, as the lever arm 46 passes through its horizontal ordead center position, the upper contact surfaces formed by the walls ofthe sockets 'Il are forced against the spheres which are thereby driveninto the sockets 70. At Athe same time the upper contact surfaces moveaway from the spheres and the lower contact surfaces swing upwardly tomeet the spheres. At the same instant the supports for the spheres havechanged. Instead of being supported on both the upper and lower contactsurfaces as previously, the spheres are now supported only upon thelowercontact surfaces.

Moreover, during the movement of the switch blade from the 45 positionto the fully open or 90 position, the sockets 70 are rapidly andincreasingly downwardly inclined away from the gaps, so that the speedof movement of the spheres into the sockets is augmented by the actionof gravity.

The switch is closed in the same manner as previously described, andsince the 'movement of the arm 46, link 47 and tube 57 is just thereverse of their movement in opening the Switch, their movements willnot again be describedin detail.

When the switch is in the fully or opened position, the spheres 69 areretained at the closed ends of the sockets 70 by the action of gravity,these sockets at this time being downwardly inclined away from the gaps.This condition prevails until the switch blade has passed through the 45position, at which time the arm 46 has also passed through itshorizontal or dead center position and reversed the movement of the tube57 from left to right, the link 47 reversing its movement from left toright simultaneously therewith. This movement gives a snap action of thetube to the right, whichA brings the upper contact surfaces formed bythe Walls of the sockets '7l into engagement with the spheres. As theswitch blade continues to move from the 45 position, the sockets 70 arerapidly and increasingly inclined downwardly towards the gaps, therebyenabling the force of gravity to augment the speed of movement of thespheres into the gaps. In the fully closed position of the switch blade,the spheres are again held in gap closing position by gravity and theswitch blade carries the main portion of the current.

It is therefore evident that by the use of this invention adisconnecting switch is obtained which is adapted for mounting in anyposition merely by reassembling of the switch parts.

The switch is provided with full oating contact members which are selfaligning, having a multiplicity of positive contact points. Thisinvention also includes a disconnecting switch which may be Vopened in avery short period of time,

air break switch mounted for arcuate movement, an auxiliary iluid breakswitch floatingly mounted and having a tilting and translatory movement,said latter switch having parts arranged` to open and close a circuittherethrough in response to said movement, and

means connecting said air break switch to said fluid break switch forimparting said movement thereto.

2. In a disconnecting switch, a sheath having a'plurality of socketstherein, contact members disposed in said sockets, resilient meansencircling said sheath for retaining said members in said sockets, and acontact plunger for insertion into said said sheath for engaging saidmembers.

3. In a disconnecting switch, a female contact member comprising asheath having a plurality of sockets therein, balls disposed in saidsockets and projecting past the inner wall of said sheath, currentcarrying lstrips secured to one end of said sheath and in engagementwith said balls, resilient means surrounding said strips for forcingsaid strips and balls inwardly, and a male contact member for insertioninto said sheath for engaging Said bmls.

4. In an electric switch, a female contact member comprising a sheathhaving a plurality of sockets therein, balls `disposed in said socketsand projecting past the inner wall of said sheath, current carryingstrips secured to said sheath and engaging said balls, resilient meansfor forcing said strips and balls inwardly, and a male contact memberfor engaging said balls.

5. In a disconnecting switch, the combination including a movable blade,a movable circuit making and breaking member, said member comprising acontainer, a plurality of insulated conducting members insaid container,means for electrically connecting said members when said container ismoved in one direction and disconnecting said members when saidcontainer is moved in another direction, and movable connecting meansbetween said switch blade and said container for moving said containerwhen the switch blade is moved.

6. In a disconnecting switch, the combination including a movable blade,a` movable circuit making and breaking member, said member comprising acontainer, a plurality of current carrying members having gapstherebetween, balls movable with respect to said members to close saidgaps when said balls are moved in one direction and open said gaps whenmoved in another direction,l and means for moving said balls responsiveto the movement of said blade.

7. In a disconnecting switch, the combination including a movable blade,a movable circuit making and breaking member, said member comprising acontainer, a plurality of current carrying members having gapstherebetween, said members having sockets, freely moving balls in saidsockets, and means responsive to the movement of said blade for movingsaid conrainer to cause the balls to bridge said gaps or move into saidsockets.

8. In a disconnecting switch, the combination including a movable blade,a movable circuit making and breaking member, said member.

comprising a container, an arc extinguishing fluid sealed in thecontainer, a plurality of current carrying members having gapstherebetween, said members having sockets communieating with said gaps,freely moving balls in said sockets, and means responsive to themovement of said blade for moving said container to cause the balls tobridge saidgaps or move into said sockets.

9. In a disconnecting switch including means for opening and closing acircuit, said means comprising a movable contact sheath having aplurality of sockets therein, balls disposed in said sockets, resilientmeans surrounding said sheath for retaining said balls in the sockets,and a stationary contact member arranged to receive the sheath thereoverand make contact with said balls.

10. A circuit controlling device comprising a movable support, a seriesof spaced contact members secured to said support and electricallyinsulated relative to each other, and a plurality of members oatinglyassociated with said contact members and adapted to simultaneouslyoccupy an open circuit or closed-circuit position relative to saidcontact members depending upon the movement of said support.

1l. A circuit controlling device comprising a movable support, a seriesof contact members secured in longitudinal alignment to said support inspaced-apart relationship, and movable Contact members for bridging thespace between said contact members, said movable contact members beingconstrained for movement from the bridging position in a directionparallel to the longitudinal axis of said support and at right angles tosaid axis, said movement depending upon the direction in which saidsupport is moved.

l2. A circuit controlling device comprising a movable support, a seriesof current carrying members secured in longitudinal alignment to saidsupport in spaced-apart relationship, movable contact members forbridging the space between said current carrying members, said currentcarrying members being constrained for movement from the bridgingposition in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of saidsupport and at right angles to said axis, said movement depending uponthe position of said support, and means for moving said support in sucha manner as to cause the contact members to move simultaneously.

13. A switch comprising a movable support, a plurality of spaced contactmembers secured to said support in end to end relationship and havingsockets in the adjacent ends, the sockets in one set of correspondingadjacent ends being disposed at an angle to the sockets in the other setof corresponding adjacent ends, and balls at adjacent ends of thecontact members to connect said members and establish an electriccurrent therethrough when the support is in one position, and to opensaid circuit when the support is moved to another position by movinginto either of said sets of sockets depending on the direction of motionof said supports.

14. A switch comprising a movable support, a plurality of spaced Contactmembers secured to said support in end to end relationship and havingsockets in the adjacent ends, the sockets in one set of correspondingadjacent ends being disposed at an angle to the sockets in the other setof corresponding adjacent ends, balls at the adjacent ends of thecontact members to connect said members and establish an electriccircuit therethrough when the support is in one position, and to opensaid circuit when the support is moved to another position by movinginto either of said sets of sockets depending on the direction of motionof said support, and means for moving said support in such a manner thatthe balls are moved to circuit opening and circuit closing positionswith a snap action.

15. A switch comprising a hermetically sealed container mounted fortranslatory movement, a support within said container, a plurality ofspaced contact members secured to said support in end to endrelationship and having sockets in the adjacent ends, the sockets in oneset of corresponding adjacent ends being disposed at an angle tothesockets in the other set of corresponding adjacent ends, and balls atthe adjacent ends of the contact members to connect said members andestablish an electric current therethrough when the container is in oneposition, and to open said circuit when the container is moved toanother position by moving into either of said sets of sockets,depending upon the direction of motion of said container, the making andbreaking of said circuit being out of contact with the atmosphere.

16. A switch comprising a movable support, a pair of spaced currentcarrying members secured to said support, one of said members having asocket, a ball in said socket movable into and out of engagement withthe other of said current carrying members, an oscillatable armconnected to one end of said support, a swingable link connected to theother end of said support, said arm and link being relatively disposedin such a manner that movement of the arm thru its dead center positionin cooperation with the movement of said link will force said ball intoand out of engagement with both of said current carrying members.

17. A switch comprising a movable support, a pair of spaced currentcarrying members secured to said support, one-of said members having asocket, a ball in saidsocket movable into and out of engagement with theother of said current carrying members, an oscillatable arm connected toone end of -said support, a swingable link connected to the other end ofsaid support, said arm and link being relatively disposed' in such amanner that movement of the arm thru its dead center position incooperation with the movement of said link will force said ball into andout of engagement with both of said current carrying members and `tiltsaid current carrying members so that the movement of said ball in thesocket is augmented by the action of gravity.

18. A switch comprising a movable support, a pair of spaced currentcarrying members secured to said support, one of said members having asocket, a ball in said socket movable into and out of engagement withthe other of said current carrying members, an oscillatable armconnected to one end of said support, a swingable link connected to theother end of said support, said arm and link being arranged for movementin arcs which are substantially in quadrature, whereby said ball iscaused to connect and disconnect said current carrying members.

19. A switch comprising a movable support, a pair of spaced currentcarrying members secured to said support, one of said members having asocket, a ball in said socket movable into and out of engagement withthe other of said current carrying members, an oscillatable armconnected to one end of said support, a swingable link connected to'theother end of said support,

said arm and link being of such relative lengths that one end of saidsupport is laterally moved a greater amount than the other end of saidsupport.

20. A switch comprising a stationary contact member, a pivotally mountedswitch blade having a forked free end, each leg of said fork having aplurality of spaced apertures, a movable contact member having aprojecting portion extending between the legs of said fork, and pinsextending transversely through said projecting portion, said pins havingtheir ends loosely disposed in said apertures. 1'

21. In a disconnecting switch, a cylindrical sheath having a pluralityof peripheral sockets, spherical contact members disposed in saidsockets, a coiled spring surrounding said sheath for retaining saidspherical contact members in said sockets, and a contact plungerinsertable into said sheath for engagement-with said spherical contactmembers.

22. In a disconnecting switch, a cylindrical sheath having a pluralityof peripheral sockets, spherical contact members disposed in saidsockets, a coiled spring surrounding said sheath for retaining saidspherical contact members in said sockets, and a contact plungerinsel-table into said sheath for engagement with said spherical contactmembers, and means for relatively moving said contact sheath and plungeraxially when engaged and in an arc when disengaged.

23. In a device of the character described, the combination including amovable blade, an arm swingable with said blade, an oscillatably mountedlink, and means having parts arranged and positioned in such a manner asto open and close an electrical circuit therethrough in response to atranslatory movement, saidlink and arm cooperating to support said meansand move said means when the blade is moved.

24. In a disconnecting switch, a switch blade mounted for arcuatemovement, a contact member at the free end of said blade, a stationarycontact, said contacts being engageable and disengageable by relativeaxial movement thereof, and a floating connection between the firstcontact and blade to enable relative axial movement.-

the contacts are disengaged.

25. In a disconnecting switch, a switch blade mounted for arcuatemovement, a plunger member forming a contact, a tubular member foraxially receiving said plunger, one of saidmembers being carried by theblade and the other being xedly mounted to cooperate with said one ofsaid members, and a oating connection between the blade and the memberthereon, whereby the tubular member may axially receive the plungermember during an arcuate movement of the blade.

26. As an article of manufacture, a unitary replacement switching unitcomprising a sealed tubular container, external contact members at theends of the container, a support in the container, a series of spacedcurrent-carrying members secured to the support and electricallyinsulated relative to each other, the outermost of said members beingrespectively connected to the contact members of the container, aplurality of members in the container operatively associated with thecurrent-carrying members and adapted to bridge the current-carryingmembers, when the container is moved from one position to another.

27. As an article of manufacture, a unitary replacement switching unitcomprising a sealed tubular container, external contact members at theends of the container, a support in the container, a series ofcurrent-carrying members secured to said support in longitudinalalignment in spaced apart relationship and electrically insulated fromeach other, the outermost of said members being connected to the contactmembers of the container, movable members adapted to bridge the spacebetween the current-carrying members, said current-carrying membersbeing constrained -for movement from their bridging position in adirection parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container and atright angles to said axis in response to a predetermined movement of thecontainer.

28. As an article of manufacture, a self-container-switching unitcomprising a sealed tube having end contacts outside the tube, a supportof insulating material in the tube, a plurality of current-carryingmembers secured to said support in a manner to form separating gapstherebetween, said members having sockets in communication with thegaps, freely moving balls disposed so as to bridge the gaps and moveinto the sockets, and connections from the end contacts of the tube tothe outermost of the current-carrying members.

' ERNEST E. ANDERSON.

